Lionel Messi’s father Jorge dies aged 68 after long illness

Jorge Messi, the father of Argentina and Barcelona great Lionel Messi, died on Friday evening at the age of 68 following a long illness.

According to Argentine newspaper Infobae, Jorge Messi died at 22:00 local time inside a medical clinic in Rosario, the city in Argentina where the Messi family is from.

Jorge played a central role in his son’s football journey, managing Lionel’s affairs and overseeing matters away from the pitch from the early stages of his career. He was also an important figure in helping Lionel pursue a professional career in Europe.

When Lionel was a youth player at Newell’s Old Boys, Jorge took responsibility for securing the medical treatment his son required. Later, he accompanied Lionel to Barcelona as the young footballer moved to Spain, while Lionel’s mother remained in Rosario to organise matters for the rest of the family.

Throughout the years, Jorge remained close to his son while largely avoiding the spotlight. He rarely appeared in the media and seldom gave interviews, preferring instead to concentrate on his family and support Lionel’s career away from public attention.

His role extended beyond the formal management of Lionel’s career. Jorge was present during the key stages of his son’s development, from his early years in Rosario and his time at Newell’s Old Boys through to the move to Barcelona that began Lionel’s rise in European football.

The family confirmed no further details about the illness that preceded Jorge’s death in the source report. His death was reported from Rosario, where he had remained connected to the family’s roots.

Jorge leaves behind his wife, Celia Cuccittini, and their children Lionel, Rodrigo, Matias and Maria Sol. He is also survived by his grandchildren and other members of the family.

Although Lionel went on to become one of the most decorated and recognisable footballers in the world, Jorge generally kept his public role understated. His support was most visible through his involvement in the practical and personal decisions that helped his son continue playing during his formative years.

The relationship between father and son remained an important part of Lionel’s career, with Jorge continuing to stand alongside him away from the attention that followed Lionel on the pitch. His death brings to an end the life of a figure who was closely involved in the Argentina captain’s journey from Rosario to Barcelona and the highest levels of football.